Milliken Gets Georgia Forestry Commission Award

LaGrange, GA, November 20, 2007--Milliken & Company received the first Special Partnership Award from the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) in recognition of its contributions to urban forestry. The presentation was made during the recent Georgia Urban Forest Council annual conference.

“Our collaboration with Milliken & Company helped establish Making the Shade in Georgia,” said Larry Morris, associate chief of the Sustainable Community Forestry Program.

“The Making the Shade pilot program started with three schools, including Franklin Forest Elementary in LaGrange, and is now rapidly spreading across the state using similar public-private partnership models,”

Making the Shade increases safety on elementary school playgrounds through improved treescapes that add shade protection for days with high temperatures when equipment and playground surfaces can be hazardous. The program was launched on February 16 of this year, which coincided with Georgia’s Arbor Day.

“Adding shade trees addresses the unrecognized playground hazards of hot surfaces and air quality for elementary schools,” said president of Milliken Floor Covering Division David Caples. “Milliken supports safety and improved air quality, indoors and out through green products and community stewardship.”